Sky Watch 2008.06.18 2035-2235 CDT

Location: McAllister Park, San Antonio, TX. Near the dog park.

Conditions: Clear skies all evening. High of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Moderate humidity all evening.

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Observations:

1. @2045 CDT w/ Celestron 12x60 (henceforth GLC1260) - Saturn in Leo, above Regulus. Bright and easily seen in late twilight, despite metropolitan light pollution.

2. @2050 CDT w/ 12" Dobsonian Reflector (henceforth KLx12DR) - Saturn in Leo, above Regulus. Stunning for the first time with such optics. I had never before seen any of the planets in such detail, to see the rings so clearly and additional detail on the planet was spectacular. It is difficult not to be tempted to rush right out and buy a scope of this magnitude just to see Saturn regularly.

3. @2100 CDT w/ GLC1260 - Regulus in Leo, with Mars becoming apparent, though I was not yet able to spot the red planet at this hour with the naked eye.

4. @2115 CDT w/ KLx12DR - Saturn again to specifically observe the moon Titan. The ringed planet's largest moon was clearly visible as a bright pin an inch or two (relative) away from the planet. An additional, smaller, moon was visible below the gas giant, however those more familiar with the system were unable to identify it.

5. @2117 CDT w/ 12" Meade Lightbridge Truss Tube Reflector (henceforth GxML12DR) - Mars as a brilliant point of light with an apparent pinkish red tinge. The fourth planet was amazingly bright!

6. @2130 CDT w/ GLC1260 - Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). I found this double star easy to spot both with the naked eye and my binoculars, once discussions about them started.

7. @2135 CDT w/ KLx12DR - Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). Through a twelve inch reflector, these two stars were amazingly bright and obviously more stable to view. Each was amazing in its own right and their neighbors were really beginning to show clearly in the darker sky.

8. @2150 CDT w/ KLx12DR - M13 Globular Cluster. There was quite a bit of discussion and redirection attempting to find this deep sky object. Once found, though, it was amazing to see through a twelve inch reflector. It takes a bit of practice to learn how to "see" the cluster, it is almost easier to see it by looking for it in your peripheral vision.

9. @xxxx CDT w/ GLC1260 - Failed to definitively spot M13 Globular Cluster with my binoculars. While an exceptionally friendly new member of SAAA was determined to help me spot M13 with my binoculars, I'm not convinced I succeeded. It's not going anywhere, not during my lifetime, though, so I've plenty of time to meet with success in this endeavor. Practice, after all, makes perfect.


Summary:

By the end of the night I'd made many new friends and had an excellent time in the park. Keith, Gilda, half a dozen Johns and several other folks' whose names elude me were kind, helpful, excited to share their tools and knowledge with me and a dozen or so other fascinated onlookers.

I successfully spotted each of my primary goals for the night, those being Saturn, Mars, Leo and Regulus. I didn't set particularly difficult to achieve goals for myself. However, the difficulty of my goals is mitigated by my current level of comfort with the night sky.

I am excited to continue participating and, in particular, am looking forward to joining this group of enthusiasts for a night under a darker sky!

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Device Notes:

1. Celestron 12x60 Binoculars - I'm very pleased with the performance of these binoculars for less detailed viewing of the night sky. The optics proved to be clear, easy to adjust and not quite as heavy as I'd expected.

I'm happy with the dew guard included. Particularly since it included an inherent loop to secure the guard to the body of the binoculars. I chose to use a small length (perhaps eight inches, total) of gutted blue paracord (550 cord) to make the connection. I had no concerns, all evening, of misplacing the guard.

I am, however, exceptionally disappointed (disgusted) with the "strap". The strap included is merely a 1/4" section of braided nylon. It is wholly insufficient for "wearing" the binoculars for any length of time. It wears at the skin and digs into the body. I chose, tonight, to wear a collared shirt. When the "strap" began to irritate me, I shifted it over the collar such that the collar absorbed and diffused much of the discomfort from the strap. Regardless, the strap is worthless.

Modifications to apply:
1.a. It is important to look for a more comfortable replacement strap in the near future. After doing some research on the web, I'm interested in a Superbungee Camera/Binocular Strap. The price is reasonable and the comfort features are appealing.

1.b. I considered applying some white electrical tape to the objective lens caps, but didn't. After spending a bit more time looking for them than I'd like, at the end of the evening, I've determined that applying the tape is a good idea after all.

2. Moleskine pocket square notebook - I'm pretty happy with this little notebook, so far. The pocket in the back is very useful. Before departing I stashed two large bandages, two small bandages, a large and small butterfly bandage, two disinfectant wipes and a sting ease wipe. I also used the pocket to stash a business card I was given early in the evening.

As predicted, the notebook is easy to loose track of in the dark. I'm glad I taped a white "L" on each cover to easily spot it when I set it down. The grid design was great for drawing out Leo and it was easy to see using a red LED light.

I've still experienced no bleed through, from page to page, using my Zebra G301 (gel ink) pen. However, I did notice, several times, that the ink smeared if touched immediately after being put down.

Modifications to apply:
2.a/b. None for the time being.

3. Celestron Sky Maps - I am disappointed in myself for not attempting to use this more and identify constellations and stars on my own. I relied entirely too much on other, more experienced, participants.

That being said, I am disappointed in the plastic spine binding. It simply slips off too easily if the book is folded in half for easy handling.

Modifications to apply:
3.a. I would like to find a way to conveniently bind the book such that the pages do not come easily separated from the book. I immediately considered using a CountyComm aircraft aluminum key loop, however, looping a single corner of the binding together will negate the utility of the planisphere on the front cover. Perhaps using one key loop on the top and bottom corners of the binding will suffice.

3.b. I am still unsatisfied with my writing implements for the star charts. The most successful erasable implement I have used is a red Boone's dry erase marker. I cannot, however, find a blue sibling for it. I wish I could recall where I purchased the red one. Thus far I have tried: a blue Expo Dry Erase Marker, this was insufficient in that it beaded to water without setting at all; a blue Vis a Vis Wet Erase Marker, this was insufficient in that does not come completely clean, some blue residue remains (such is not the case with the Boone's); I read some references to using crayons on the charts and so purchased a pack of 24 Crayola crayons, these were insufficient in that they do not transfer well and result in sloppy lines. Writing on my star charts remains a challenge to overcome, while I continue trying different devices.

4. Nite Ize Mag Lite "AA" LED upgrades - I am very pleased with both the white LED and red LED modifications I have made to a pair of my Mag Lites. They were a breeze to install and can be easily removed and refit with the original incandescent bulb and reflector if I should choose to do so.

While the LED upgrades were easily installed, they do result in a minor misfitting of the bulb housing. While minor, the misfit is sufficient to loosen the housing to a nearly precarious degree. I resolved this by wrapping several layers of teflon tape to the lower threads of the main assembly.

As I suspected, the appearance of the LEDs themselves are identical. That is, both the red LED upgrade and the white LED upgrade appear clear when they are not illuminated. Effectively making it impossible to determine which is which without activating the lights. I cured this by wrapping red electrical tape around the light modified with the red LED and white electrical tape around the light modified with the white LED.

Modifications to apply:
4.a/b. I have no modifications to consider at this time.

5. Nite Ize "IQ Switch" for Mag Lite "AA" - I installed one of these push button switches in each of my LED upgraded Mag Lites and have to say, this is one of the most clever features created, yet, for these well known lights. The IQ switch is an easily installed one-to-one replacement of the base cap of the Mag "AA". It includes five modes: 100%, 50% and 25% illumination, slow strobe and fast strobe. Each feature is easily accessed by rapidly clicking the switch (once for 100%, five times for fast strobe) and easily deactivated by simply waiting 2 seconds before pressing the switch again. The IQ Switch itself contains a very small red LED which persistently blinks to make the light visible if dropped in the dark. This is a clever feature I have already been grateful for on two occasions.

I am not impressed with the tether options provided in these caps. While a standard 1/2" diameter split ring can be fitted, easily, to the IQ Switch, it will mostly be in the way of the switch itself. I removed both split rings and lanyards I had attached to the lights as soon as I got home, tonight.

Modifications to apply:
5.a. Find a suitable means by which to install a tether. Wire or a small loop of fishing line may work nicely.
5.b. Consider using lithium "AA" batteries to prolong life and perhaps increase brilliance.

6. Maxpedition Devil Dog versapack - This was excellent for carrying all but the largest of my gadgets and devices. It accommodated my binoculars, two 1L Nalgene bottles, a pack of Repel insect repellent wipes, both Mag Lites, eight dry erase markers, my Leatherman Kick, slim first aid kit, crayons in an Altoid tin, my snack for the evening (a pair of Clif Bars), my Moleskine, lens cloth, Maratac ACQ watch and my Zebra G301. It was neither cumbersome or excessively weighty, although I didn't wear it for any prolonged period of time. There was still plenty of room to slip a few essentials in if need be.

Modifications to apply:
6.a/b. None to consider at this time.

7. Unbranded WWII replica musette bag - This was ideal for my star charts, larger notebooks, reference books and LazerBrite stick. It was easily carried, unloaded and reloaded all evening.

Modifications to apply:
7.a/b. I can think of no direct modifications to make to the bag. It will serve me well for the near future. Though I would like a more purpose built bag for carrying my carts and books. Something with PALS channels on the outside to support a Maxpedition Monkey Combat Admin pouch would be nice, but not a necessity.

8. Quick Chair folding chair - I purchased this necessity at the Sports Authority for $9. It was comfortable, light, easy to unpack and pack and great to have on hand.

The vertical plane of the back is a little steep for sky watching. Though this is only a minor complaint given the excellent price of the chair. I would like something, in the future, with a shallower back angle.

Modifications to apply:
8.a/b. I can think of none, right now.

9. Repel insect repellent wipes - These worked great to keep the bugs off and I'd highly recommend them to any other amateur astronomers. They are ideal for keeping the bugs away, all while avoiding the embarrassment of filling the air with chemicals in the presence of expensive glass.

Modifications to apply:
9.a/b. Prepackaged product, none. Though I'm curious how well they'll hold up in an airsoft application.

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That's all for now. Quite a long post, which has become out of sorts for me. :-)

SQL> Select * From tbl_Clusters Where Cluster_ID = 'M13';

LWR!

Goodbye, Mister Chief

Frankie (aka "Frank O'Connor") has chosen to leave Bungie studios to pursue what he described as a future with the Halo marque within the Microsoft halls.

Mister O'Connor has been an approachable, humorous and infectious portal (cake or no) to the world of Bungie since the development of Halo 2. He has maintained a dedicated weekly update filled with jest, innuendo and community spirit almost without fault or fail. All of which has been far beyond the call of most game studios.

I was fortunate enough to meet Mister O'Connor in July, 2006, for a few brief moments after the Halo: Uprising comic book panel at International Comic Con. The poor man and his Bungie peers were simply mobbed by fans. Not, perhaps, to the extent that Stan Lee may be mobbed at such an event; but they were mobbed none the less.

Not once did any of them fail to smile. Each of them did their best to read our badges so they may call us by our name. They shook each and every sweaty paw shoved in their general direction and spent what I am sure was precious personal time with their community after the panel.

Mister O'Connor was with them, every single moment. He seemed a bit tired and perhaps overwhelmed, but he never relented in his enthusiasm for the group of people around him.

I, too, wanted some autographs in my copy of the Halo Graphic Novel. I wanted Ms. McLees and the others to ink their signature with the wealth of images they had included in the book. But, I needed Frankie's first. I recall thinking "he'll be the hardest to get to, he's the most recognizable Bungie persona, right now. The only way to get him to autograph his Mister Chief image is if I do it right this instant."

I waited, patiently, as some fans and community members greeted and thanked him. Then I politely approached him, extended my hand and thanked him for his diligence and parnership with the community. Of course he smiled, thanked me for being a part of the community and said a few other brief words. It was at that moment that I managed to shake up his implacable bearing:

"Would you please sign Mister Chief for me?"

I had not expected to catch him off guard. I was not trying to be tricky or sly. I just thought he deserved as much signatory recognition in the book as everyone else. It just seemed, right, logical, normal. Apparently, he had not seen it that way. I am not sure why.

I do not recall his exact words. I wish I did, now. But they were words of surprise, something akin to:

'Are you sure? I mean, I'd love to, but I didn't really do anything here.'

I was positive I wanted him to sign the novel. In fact, I was positive I wanted him to sign the additional copy I was having autographed for a friend of my brother. I handed him the books and a silver Sharpie. Instantly, the mild look of stunned disbelief left his face and an enormous smile filled his visage.

With a flourish and some words of wit, Mister O'Connor signed both graphic novels and instantly my idea was a hit. Everyone else in the crowd began asking for his signature as well and he happily accommodated to the best of his ability.

I am sad that Mister O'Connor is leaving Bungie Studios. I have so very much appreciated his participation in our community. However, I am delighted to have this opportunity to reflect upon a moment during which I was able to return the favor of all the smiles he has infected upon the Halo world and its fans.

Thank you, Frankie, for all your hard work and friendship. May you have the absolute best of luck in the future!

102,432

Stop Uwe Boll from making movies. He claims he will retire if 1 million people sign THIS PETITION.

An intersting political article.

I found this fascinating. Mostly because I identify with so many of the author's points.

The Aspen Times - "The Angry White Man"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

http://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/

Another Interesting Blog...

...This one is historic - WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier . The blog's author is transcribing letters his grandfather wrote home during World War I. He is transcribing and posting each letter to this blog on the month and day, 90 years later, that his grandfather wrote it. As a result, there is some suspense involved, as readers have no idea when the last letter will be posted and what it will contain.